The Melt CEO Jonathan Kaplan Tells Graduates at The Culinary Institute of America to “Dream Big”

Posted: Tuesday, April 19, 2016

St. Helena, CA – Jonathan Kaplan, founder and CEO of The Melt, delivered the
commencement address at The
Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA on April 15,
where he advised associate degree recipients to set their career goals high.

The Melt is a group of fast casual restaurants focused
around the classic grilled cheese and soup combination. The San Francisco-based
chain has a two-pronged mission of providing better food for kids and creating
jobs. Since its creation in 2011, The Melt has grown to 18 units in California
and Colorado.

“You’ve learned to work hard and you’ve learned how to
create,” Mr. Kaplan told 46 graduates earning degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking
& Pastry Arts. “I bet each of you can make most anything taste good.
You’re off to a great start. But regardless of your career plan, always dream
big.”

Before founding The Melt, Kaplan was founder and CEO of Pure
Digital Technologies, maker of the Flip Video camera. In the wake of that
success, Businessweek magazine recognized him as one of the Most Influential People on the Web and
Ernst & Young named him as its Northern California Entrepreneur of the
Year.

Photo Captions and Hi-Res Image:

Graduates of the California campus of The Culinary Institute
of America celebrate by tossing their toques at the conclusion of the
commencement ceremony on April 15, 2016. (Photo
credit: Kristen Loken/CIA)View hi-res image >

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier
culinary college. Dedicated to driving leadership development for the
foodservice and hospitality industry, the independent, not-for-profit CIA
offers associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts;
bachelor’s degree majors in management, culinary science, and applied food
studies; and executive education through its Food Business School. Its
conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food
industry in the areas of health & wellness, sustainability, world cuisines
& cultures, and professional excellence & innovation. The college also
offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its
worldwide network of 48,000 alumni includes leaders in every area of
foodservice and hospitality. The CIA has campuses in New York, California,
Texas, and Singapore.